Paint removal

Anyone know of a product that will remove latex paint without disturbing the hand grained finish that lies beneath the latex paint? Hand graining was done to doors and woodwork in the 1870's .

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Bill Hendrickson on January 28, 2012 at 10:03am

Man, I could not think of a reason either why Jet Dry should work, other than maybe preventing the water from evaporating quickly. It prevents the water from sticking to your cook and glass ware.

Also, I am not sure, but method would only affect a latex paint maybe.

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Permalink Reply by Nick on January 28, 2012 at 10:37am

In that case, an enzyme based wallpaper stripper would work as well? They also make 'water wetter."

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Permalink Reply by Shelley on January 28, 2012 at 12:35pm

Lair-

Jet dry and water works on paint removal?? Do you think it would work to get the paint off of old radiators??? Need an easy solution for those!! I've used fabric softener and warm water to get wall paper off plus works great getting the glue off of the plaster.

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Permalink Reply by Lair Tienter on January 28, 2012 at 1:55pm

This water thing only works on water based paints. It does not remove it it just makes it softer. If the painter did his job right and roughed up the surface before painting with latex, water doesn't lift the latex much. Works best of the latex is painted over a gloss surface or a dirty surface. Each case is different but if it works it is a cheap and odorless method. Lair

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Permalink Reply by Shelley on January 28, 2012 at 2:24pm

How does one know if it is indeed water based paint?

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Permalink Reply by Bill Hendrickson on January 31, 2012 at 7:42am

Do you think there is latex on the radiators. I could be wrong, but I would not think it would hold up to the heat. Usually a high temp metal paint, enamel, or something like that should have been used.

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Permalink Reply by Randall Marder on January 29, 2012 at 4:53pm

if the under surface is hand grained and if the overcoat is latex, try this. Sand your test area (etch only). Steam some small hand towels and apply to a small test area and time your test. This is a test, to learn if this will work. If it is cheap latex it will lift the paint.

Potential Problems and other options:

if the under coat was finished with Shellac, the under coat will turn white

Do not raise the grain

If you do choose to use SoyGel, apply and remove quickly so only the top surface is only removed. Run tests

If the undercoat is not Shellac, it will be varnish. Try using a steam iron (only the steam), test test test.

Stop when the latex starts to bubble, not to much. Carefully scrape, slowly. You can also use steel wool, not to coarse.

If the painted coat is oil base and not latex, the removal of the paint will effect the undercoat. You will need to restore the hand graining.

Historical Restoration = patience

Yours

Randall Marder

www.rmdesignconst.com